A fire that destroyed an iconic bowling alley in Des Moines late last year was caused by oily rags that spontaneously ignited, according to officials.

Security cameras inside and outside of Plaza Lanes proved beneficial for investigators as they were determining the cause of the Dec. 18 fire and the time the towels went from smoldering to full-on flames, said Brian O’Keefe, spokesman for Des Moines fire.

10:50 p.m.: Employees washed and dried a set of rags and placed them in a bucket and put them in a corner of the kitchen.

Midnight: The bucket was placed next to the pizza oven.

1:10 a.m.: Everyone left.

1:50 a.m.: The first indication of smoke is seen on the internal camera.

4:40 a.m.: It begins to burn and produce luminous flame.

4:50 a.m.: It spreads in the kitchen.

5:05 a.m.: An external camera shows the first indication of flames outside the building.

Firefighters in Des Moines battled a large structure fire at Plaza Lanes. Brian O'Keefe, spokesman for the Des Moines Fire Department, estimated that the roof collapsed about 30 minutes after crews arrived to the scene.
Wochit

Spontaneous combustion can occur with oily rags when there is no place for heat to escape, such as when they're in a pile. When the rags are drying, they release a heat and the temperature can reach a level that can ignite the oil.

"We have that happen several times a year throughout the city," O'Keefe said. "I’ve seen it numerous times."

Before officials reviewed the surveillance footage however, physical evidence led them to believe the kitchen and ultimately the rags were the source of the fire.

Investigators examined charring throughout the building and worked from the least to the most heavily damaged area — leading them to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, they found the bucket, along with rag remains.

By investigating the physical scene before watching the surveillance footage, officials could rule out other possibly theories, including whether a person started the fire or if there was an ignition source present. The surveillance footage then corroborated their finding and allowed them to time stamp each moment.

"The surveillance footage and the evidence led them to conclude the rags were the culprit," O'Keefe said.

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This 2000 photos shows the neon bowler that was on the roof of Plaza Lanes in Des Moines for decades. This bowler throws the ball for a strike and the ball lights up as it makes its way towards the pins.
Register file photo

In this 2000 photo, Randy Thompson, president and owner of Plaza Lanes in Des Moines, shakes hands on the roof of Plaza Lanes with the neon bowler that was on the roof of the business for many years.
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This 2006 photo shows Randy Thompson, owner of Plaza Lanes, who said he wanted to help revitalize the area, where several businesses including the nearby Target store, had left recently. He later built sand volleyball courts west of the bowling alley and Trophy's Sports Bar & Grill on Douglas Avenue.
Register file photo